Big Idea Grant

The Big Idea Grant (BIG), administered by the Lower St. Croix Valley Community Foundation, is a place-based grantmaking initiative designed to enrich the civic and community life of select towns within the Lower St. Croix Valley region. The Foundation focuses on promoting projects that align with community enhancement, meaningful impact, civic engagement, and improved quality of life. This funding initiative supports the Foundation’s broader mission to strengthen community identity and pride by enabling local nonprofits and governmental entities to deliver programs and projects that directly benefit local residents. The BIG initiative is focused exclusively on projects that serve the communities of Lakeland, Lakeland Shores, Lake St. Croix Beach, St. Mary’s Point, and Afton. Applications must clearly demonstrate how the proposed idea will benefit residents in one or more of these municipalities. Eligible projects can span a wide range of community-oriented themes as long as they aim to strengthen local connections, enrich resident lives, build community pride, or create lasting positive impact within the specified service area. The grant program will award up to $25,000 per project, although the total program funding and number of expected awards are not specified in the available material. There are no references to matching fund requirements. The opportunity is open to qualified applicants including nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, government entities, tribal entities, or educational organizations with tax-exempt status. Organizations that do not independently meet eligibility criteria may still apply by partnering with a qualified fiscal sponsor. The application window for the FY26 cycle begins on June 16, 2025, and closes on September 15, 2025. The program is not described as rolling, and no indication of recurring annual cycles is provided, so applicants are encouraged to apply within the stated time frame. No additional deadlines (e.g., for Letters of Intent) or award notification timelines are given. The grant is currently active and accepting applications. No specific contact information, such as a grant program officer’s name, email, or phone number, is provided in the available grant description. Furthermore, no application tips, FAQs, or sample responses are included in the material. The structure and requirements of the application form are also not outlined, nor are there references to past recipients or award use cases. This opportunity is well-suited for community-based initiatives that aim to make a measurable difference in the Lower St. Croix Valley. Interested applicants are encouraged to prepare materials that align with the outlined mission and goals of the BIG initiative, and ensure they submit complete proposals by the September 15, 2025 deadline.